Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

StarflightBy: Melissa LandersRelease Date: February 2, 2016

Life in the outer realm
is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it.
Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where
nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the
felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the
realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the
rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through
high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith. When
a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious
repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he
pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to
clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work
together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may
be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything
they once believed about their world--and each other--the ship becomes
home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover
on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives,
but the existence of everyone in the universe...(Goodreads)

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The Start of Me and YouBy: Emery LordReleased: March 31, 2015Source: PurchasedPurchase the Book: AmazonIt’s been a year since
it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident.
After shutting out the world for two years, Paige is finally ready for a
second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her
old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone
she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after
all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and
recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan
is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and
finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?(Goodreads)I really enjoyed The Start of Me and You a lot. This was one of my most highly anticipated books of the year because I absolutely loved Emery Lord's debut, Open Road Summer.The Start of Me and You is the story of Paige who's about to start her junior year of high school. It's been a year since her boyfriend drowned in an accident and Paige is finally ready for a new start.Paige was an interesting protagonist who develops a lot through the course of the story. She's been mourning her boyfriend for longer than she dated him. She comes up with a plan of things to do during the year as a way to start moving forward again. The more I got to know Paige, the more I liked her. She has a good heart. I love the relationship that she shares with her grandmother because her love for her comes right off of the pages. I also love how Paige is really into television and is thinking about maybe becoming a television writer. Then there is the love that Paige has for her friends.

This book is filled with great side characters. First there is Max, who is so adorable and nerdy. Then there are Paige's best friends Tessa, Morgan, and Kayleigh. One of my favorite aspects of this book was the relationship that Paige shared with her best friends. These girls love and support each other. They form their own little family. They may have their disagreements, but they're always there for each other. I loved the way that Lord wrote this friendship and made it a major part of the story. The plot took me a while to grab my attention. I started this book a couple of months ago, but I just couldn't get into it because it started off slow. I put it aside and finally went back to it recently and I'm really happy that I did. Even though I struggled to get through the first eighty pages, this book absolutely paid off after that. The plot picked up the pace and I couldn't put this book down. I became really invested in these characters. By the time I finished the last page, I remembered why I loved Open Road Summer so much all over again. Lord's writing is stunning and I found myself writing down so many quotes. From the middle to the end, I laughed out loud at times and was brought to tears at other moments.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Start of Me and You. It's a beautifully written story about moving forward, friendship, and love. I definitely recommend picking up a copy. My Rating:

Monday, July 27, 2015

Since You've Been GoneBy: Morgan MatsonReleased: May 6, 2014Source: BEAPurchase the Book: Amazon*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest reviewIt was Sloane
who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But
right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane
just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back? Apple picking at night? Okay, easy enough. Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a stranger? Um... Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane's list. Who knows what she’ll find? Go skinny-dipping? Wait...what? (Goodreads)I absolutely loved Since You've Been Gone! I couldn't put this book down and it has definitely become one of my favorites.

Since You've Been Gone is the story of Emily whose best friend Sloane has disappeared. Sloane and her family are just gone and all that is left is a list with thirteen things to do.

Emily is a realistic and well developed character. She is lonely after her best friend, Sloane, disappears. She thought that it was Sloane who made her more exciting and she used to let Sloane do all the talking in most situations. However, if she wants to complete Sloane's list, then she needs to step out of her comfort zone and start speaking for herself. I loved watching Emily grow more confident as the story progressed. She unexpectedly makes some new friends along the way and I loved the little group they formed. I especially loved getting to know Frank more.

The plot immediately hooked me in and it didn't take me long to finish this book. I loved how the story was broken up by the items on Sloane's list. It was fun reading about how Emily was trying to complete each task. I also loved how Matson incorporated Emily's memories of adventures with Sloane within the story. It helped show just how much excitement Sloane brought to Emily's life. Their friendship wasn't always perfect, but it was clear how much they cared about each other.

I also loved the setting and exploring the town with Emily. I loved the morning runs and the playlists that Matson included within the story. I always love when an author gives you a playlist to listen to while reading. Matson really brought this town to life though. I actually grew up around the real town that she based it on, so it was especially fun for me to read. Overall, I loved Since You've Been Gone. It's a fun story that will take you on an adventure. This book made me laugh and reminisce a lot. It makes the perfect summer read and I strongly recommend picking it up as soon as possible.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

The Forbidden WishBy: Jessica KhouryRelease Date: February 23, 2016

She is the most powerful Jinni of all. He is a boy from the streets. Their love will shake the world…
When Aladdin discovers Zahra's jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust
back into a world she hasn't seen in hundreds of years -- a world where
magic is forbidden and Zahra's very existence is illegal. She must
disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic,
until her new master has selected his three wishes. But when the
King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever,
she seizes the opportunity—only to discover she is falling in love with
Aladdin. When saving herself means betraying him, Zahra must decide once
and for all: is winning her freedom worth losing her heart? As
time unravels and her enemies close in, Zahra finds herself suspended
between danger and desire in this dazzling retelling of Arabian Nights
from acclaimed author Jessica Khoury. (Goodreads)

Monday, July 20, 2015

PaperweightBy: Meg HastonReleased: July 7, 2015Source: PublisherPurchase the Book: Amazon*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest reviewSeventeen-year-old
Stevie is trapped. In her life. In her body. And now in an
eating-disorder treatment center on the dusty outskirts of the New
Mexico desert. Life in the center is regimented and intrusive, a
nightmare come true. Nurses and therapists watch Stevie at mealtime,
accompany her to the bathroom, and challenge her to eat the foods she’s
worked so hard to avoid. Her dad has signed her up for sixty days
of treatment. But what no one knows is that Stevie doesn't plan to stay
that long. There are only twenty-seven days until the anniversary of
her brother Josh’s death—the death she caused. And if Stevie gets her
way, there are only twenty-seven days until she too will end her life. In
this emotionally haunting and beautifully written young adult debut,
Meg Haston delves into the devastating impact of trauma and loss, while
posing the question: Why are some consumed by their illness while others
embark on a path toward recovery? (Goodreads)Paperweight is one of those books that I can't stop thinking about. I really enjoyed this one a lot. It is a realistic story that deals with a very serious illness.

Paperweight is the story of Stevie who is sent to a treatment center for an eating disorder. Stevie doesn't plan on staying for her full treatment plan though because she plans to end her own life on the anniversary of her brother's death.

Stevie was a complex, realistic, and well developed character. She is angry and filled with so much grief. Her mother left her years ago and she blames herself for the accident that killed her brother. Other than her father, she has only one other person in her life and that is her friend Eden. I love how Haston intertwined memories from Stevie's life before the treatment center within the plot. It really gave you this big picture of what has led to Stevie ending up in a treatment center. It clearly comes across just how much she loved her brother.

The plot was paced well and as I mentioned earlier, I liked how memories from Stevie's life before treatment were weaved into the story. I read this book within one day because I found it difficult to put down for long. The treatment center made for a memorable setting. The center is filled with several interesting characters, from the other patients to Stevie's therapist. Haston truly handled the topic of eating disorders really well too. She honestly depicted this disease and the many forms that it can have. She gave Stevie this really powerful voice to tell her story.

Overall I really enjoyed Paperweight. This was an honest and memorable story. My Rating:

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Nowhere But HereBy: Katie McGarryReleased: May 26, 2015Source: EdelweissPurchase the Book: AmazonSeventeen-year-old
Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good
school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she's curious about her biological
father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror,
over being a parent—but that doesn't mean she wants to be a part of his
world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation
among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing
is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not
Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them
both. Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They're
the good guys. They protect people. They're…family. And while Emily—the
gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club's most respected member—is
in town, he's gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep
her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it's his
shot at his dream. What he doesn't count on is that Emily just might
turn that dream upside down. No one wants them to be together.
But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road
you fear the most is the one that leads you home. (Goodreads)

I really enjoyed Nowhere But Here. I'm a big fan of McGarry's Pushing the Limits series, so I was really excited to start this new series. Just like the Pushing the Limits series, the first book in the Thunder Road series, introduces a great group of interesting characters.

Nowhere But Here is the story of Emily who doesn't have much of a relationship with her biological dad. Her dad is part of a motorcycle club and she didn't grow up near him. However, a funeral brings her to his hometown and the short visit turns into an extended one. It's during her stay that Emily meets a family she never knew about and learns about all of the secrets her parents are keeping from her. She also meets Oz. Oz wants to join the motorcycle club and has been instructed to protect Emily while she's in town. However, the two begin to unexpectedly grow closer.

Emily was a well developed character. I loved that the book began at her home because it showed how comfortable she was in her life there. Once she arrives in her biological dad's hometown, her whole life is thrown upside down. At first Emily starts off as this quiet good girl, but as you get to know her better, you see that there are so many more layers to her. Oz was also a well developed character. Oz has always wanted to join the motorcycle club and become a bigger part of the family that the club has created for themselves. I enjoyed how the chapters alternated between Emily and Oz. At first they seem to be so completely different, but then you start to see that they're a lot alike in some ways too.

The plot hooked me in from the beginning and I couldn't put this book down. I finished it within a day because I just needed to know what would happen to these characters. This plot was also filled with so much drama. Of course there was some romance, but there was a whole lot of drama too. Emily's family kept a lot of secrets and told many lies. Some of it became predictable, but there were a few things that still surprised me.

Overall, I really enjoyed Nowhere But Here. I definitely recommend this one to fans of contemporary books and to any Kate McGarry fans. I will certainly be looking forward to reading about the other characters in the upcoming books in this new series. My Rating:

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

When We CollidedBy: Emery LordRelease Date: April 5, 2016

Meet Vivi and Jonah: A girl and a boy whose love has the power save or destroy them. Vivi
and Jonah couldn't be more different. Vivi craves anything joyful or
beautiful that life can offer. Jonah has been burdened by responsibility
for his family ever since his father died. As summer begins, Jonah
resigns himself to another season of getting by. Then Vivi arrives, and
suddenly life seems brighter and better. Jonah is the perfect project
for Vivi, and things finally feel right for Jonah. Their love is the
answer to everything. But soon Vivi's zest for life falters, as her
adventurousness becomes true danger-seeking. Jonah tries to keep her
safe, but there's something important Vivi hasn't told him. (Goodreads)

Monday, July 13, 2015

We are very excited to bring you the trailer for the Epic Finale in Jennifer L.
Armentrout's Dark Elements Series, EVERY LAST BREATH! Published by HarlequinTeen, EVERY LAST BREATH is a young adult paranormal filled with
romance and danger being released on July 28th, 2015.

EVERY LAST BREATH Synopsis:Some loves will last ‘til your dying breath
Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or
darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never
thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust.
Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc
on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death,
Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction.
Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially
when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and
the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell…
“Armentrout is a major talent…I just can’t stop reading!”--New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter“Armentrout works her magic with swoon-worthy guys and a twist you never see
coming.”--#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines on White Hot
Kiss

And here's the amazing trailer for EVERY LAST BREATH...

And don't forget to preorder your copy of EVERY LAST BREATH today
and enter to win!

Enter now to win an INCREDIBLE Dark Elements prize pack including a VISA GIFT CARD!
Register your pre-order of Jennifer L. Armentrout's EVERY LAST BREATH now to enter PLUS help unlock
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WHITE HOT KISS

STONE COLD TOUCH

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:
# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia.
All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she
spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with
her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.
Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing
short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal,
science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled
Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a
major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic
suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.
She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn.
She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

A Million Miles AwayBy: Lara AveryReleased: July 7, 2015Source: BEAPurchase the Book: Amazon*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest reviewWhen high school senior
Kelsey's identical twin sister, Michelle, dies in a car crash, Kelsey
is left without her other half. The only person who doesn't know about
the tragedy is Michelle's boyfriend, Peter, recently deployed to
Afghanistan. But when Kelsey finally connects with Peter online, she
can't bear to tell him the truth. Active duty has taken its toll, and
Peter, thinking that Kelsey is Michelle, says that seeing her is the one
thing keeping him alive. Caught up in the moment, Kelsey has no choice:
She lets Peter believe that she is her sister. As Kelsey keeps
up the act, she crosses the line from pretend to real. Soon, Kelsey
can't deny that she's falling, hard, for the one boy she shouldn't want. (Goodreads)

I liked A Million Miles Away. It was an emotional story about grief. A Million Miles Away is the story of Kelsey whose identical twin sister, Michelle, dies. Michelle's boyfriend, Peter, is deployed in Afghanistan and doesn't know about Michelle's accident. While Kelsey is on Michelle's computer, Peter calls and mistakes her for Michelle. Kelsey keeps up the act of pretending to be Michelle for Peter and soon she finds herself developing feelings for him.

I liked how this story started off before Michelle's accident because it showed what the relationship between Kelsey and Michelle was like. Kelsey and Michelle weren't super close and they had opposite personalities. However, they were always there for each other and loved each other. Kelsey was a very realistic character. She is realistically trying to cope with the loss of her twin sister. She is also developed well throughout the whole story. Peter was a really interesting character too and I enjoyed getting to know him as the story progressed. The plot started off really great, but I started to find myself getting bored around the middle of the book. It was moving along slowly and at times I felt like it wasn't going anywhere. I was happy that I stuck with it though because I did get really into the story again towards the end. However, I did find that it all wrapped up very suddenly though.

Overall I liked A Million Miles Away. This book is pitched for fans of Nicholas Sparks and while I'm not a fan of his books, I can definitely see the similarities between his books and A Million Miles Away. I think fans of his books would really enjoy this one. My Rating:

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

The Next TogetherBy: Lauren JamesRelease Date: September 3, 2015

How many times can you lose the person you love? A
powerful and epic debut novel for teenagers about reincarnation and the
timelessness of first love from a talented young writer. Teenagers
Katherine and Matthew are destined to be born again and again. Each
time their presence changes history for the better, and each time, they
fall hopelessly in love, only to be tragically separated. But why do they keep coming back? What else must they achieve before they can be left to live and love in peace? Maybe the next together will be different... (Goodreads)

Thursday, July 2, 2015

There
have always been warps—tears between realities—and they’ve always been a
threat to humanity. Most people are blind to them. But Hallie’s eyes
are opening. Now that she’s going to school at the Protectorate, she’s
learning there’s more to life than fun and games.

The truth is, she’s just become part of Earth’s
only shield against the monsters of the warps. Before, she didn’t think
she was anything special. Now, yanked from her relatively normal life,
she realizes that she doesn’t have a choice.

When
the emergency alarm sounds, calling everyone in the school to arms,
even the young and inexperienced are needed. As one of the warp
weavers—capable of closing the warps and stopping the monsters—Hallie
must now work to save lives. And she must do it in the most complicated
situation she’s ever experienced. Because there are sea serpents in the
Thames, and Hallie has to close the doors that are letting them in.

The problem is, the warps are underwater. And the sea monsters are hungry.

Now
everyone is relying on her, and Hallie must find a way to do her
job—with a brand new partner—before it’s too late. Because if she fails
she’ll die, along with everyone who’s depending on her.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases.

Your Voice is All I HearBy: Leah ScheierRelease Date: September 1, 2015

Everything about Jonah
is unexpected. On the first day of school, he sits next to April, when
he could have chosen to sit with the popular girl. He turns down an
invitation to join the school team and declares he'd rather paint. He
encourages April to develop her musical talent and shrugs off the
bullies that torment them.April isn't surprised to find herself falling for Jonah. The unexpected part is when he falls for her too. But
the giddy happiness of their first romance begins to fade when Jonah's
unpredictability begins to take a darker turn. April understands that
her boyfriend is haunted by a painful memory, but his sudden mood swings
worry her. She can't explain his growing fear of cellphones, electric
keyboards, and of sounds that no one else can hear. Still, no matter what happens, April is sure that she'll always stand by him. Until Jonah finally breaks and is committed to a psychiatric ward. Until schizophrenia changes everything. Though
everyone urges her to let him go, April stays true to Jonah. But as the
boy she adores begins to disappear in front of her, she has to face her
worst fear: that her love may not be enough to save him. (Goodreads)

Disclaimer

All reviews published on this blog are based on books that I have either purchased myself or received from an author or publisher in exchange for an honest review. It is noted in the review whether I purchased a book myself or received the book from the publisher or author. I receive no compensation from any of the reviews that I publish. Unless otherwise noted, all photos used on this blog are from Google and are not owned by me.